Our Blog

By: Ashley Rives Stores and homes are getting dressed up with festive lights, hot cocoa is being sipped and your kids are thumbing through the holiday toy catalog.  It is that time of year again – the Holidays are coming!  While sharing this festive season with your family is sure to be memorable, this time […]

By Alexa Bigwarfe Thanksgiving is a great time to teach your toddler about being thankful, and it’s especially fun to do it through crafts. You can do this without too much preparation and with basic supplies, which makes it an inexpensive activity as well. Go the extra mile and invite your friends over for a […]

It’s important to be thankful all year long, but November is a perfect time to deeply reflect on the good things in life. Here are five simple ways you can teach your kiddos to be thankful for the wonderful things in their lives and help them extend that gratefulness to their families, friends and community: […]

More and more research is being conducted every day that gives us a clearer picture of how young children learn. We now know more about what children need in order to grow emotionally and intellectually. For example, research shows that active, physical, and cognitively stimulating play is necessary for optimal brain growth and development. Research […]

“My son knows his ABCs. Look how smart he is!” “Show Grandma how you can count to ten, honey!” Does this sound like you or anyone you know who is a parent of a young child? Chances are, the answer is “yes.” We are so proud to see that our children are learning; that they […]

Conflict is a natural part of human life. Often parents and teachers will try to arrange a child’s life to avoid potential conflict. For example, sometimes we only let certain children play together or we try to keep siblings apart, playing in different parts of the house. While this may feel like the right thing […]

You want what’s best for your children – for them to grow into independent, self-reliant people who will be able to make healthy choices for themselves throughout their lives. The beginnings of that skill start as early as two years of age.  It is important to talk to your child about making good decisions. Making […]

Asking your young child to “share” is likely to trigger tears and tantrums – here’s why. But don’t give up – there are lots of ways to boost your child’s graciousness, patience, and empathy, which all add up to honest-to-goodness sharing over time. Here’s how: Take Timed Turns Don’t tell your child to “wait just a minute” when […]

Little friends Noah and Evan were having a playdate, but it wasn’t going well. They both NEEDED Noah’s nice, new dump truck. Noah’s Dad heard screams of “Mine! Mine!” and went to smooth things out. “Come on guys, you need to share the truck. Let’s see you sharing nicely.” “It’s mine!” “I wanna use it!” […]

We’ve bumped up the mealtime chatter in your home. We’ve ensured your little one can help safely in the kitchen – and learn a bunch in the process, too. Now, it’s time to cook! Here are two fool-proof recipes that young children love to make – and eat. From my family to yours – enjoy! No-Bake Peanut Butter […]

My little one likes to have “combersations” at mealtimes. But she really has no choice – we’re a family of talkers. Her older sister and brothers yak over their school time triumphs and tragedies, and Dad and I elbow our way in to ask questions, offer occasional advice, and ensure everyone gets a turn. But […]

Regular family mealtimes have proven benefits such as better manners for the kids and healthier meals for the whole family. But did you know family mealtime can also help your child gain communication skills, improved learning, and problem-solving abilities? Regular family meals also build closer relationships among family members, setting a trusting foundation for when […]